How to turn Autumn into a learning adventure for kids

 702's Gugs Mhlungu spoke to resident human potential and parenting expert, Nikki Bush.

Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below.

Summer is fading, making way for Autumn - the season when the daylight becomes shorter and the temperatures cooler.

Bush says this is the ideal time to teach children about the wonders of seasons changing.

She explains that Autumn offers a rich tapestry of colours, sounds, and textures that can captivate young minds and provide numerous learning opportunities.

"...children are naturally very, very curious and they want to know why. And even if you don't have the answers, you can say, let's go and find out together. This is a time for research."

- Nikki Bush, human potential and parenting expert

Sensory exploration and learning

Encourage children to observe the transformation around them, like the leaves changing colours, animals preparing for winter, and the shorter days.

This sensory engagement helps develop their observation skills and understanding of the world.

Activities like leaf rubbings, nature walks, and collecting fallen leaves can be both educational and enjoyable.

Creative crafting with nature

Children can create leaf prints, build leaf animals, or design autumn wreaths.

These hands-on activities not only foster creativity but also enhance fine motor skills.

For instance, making a leaf bowl involves layering leaves over a balloon and sealing them with Mod Podge, resulting in a beautiful, durable craft. 

Understanding seasonal changes

Autumn is an excellent time to teach children about the cyclical nature of life.

Discussing topics like hibernation, the shedding of leaves, and the preparation of animals for winter can provide insights into biology and ecology.

Additionally, exploring the seasonality of foods, such as the availability of certain fruits, can be a fun and informative experience. 

Bush says that beyond learning, seasons provide metaphors for life.

"...if you think about Autumn and the leaves that are falling from the trees, there's the letting go. We have to let go of things at certain times of life, things that don't serve us, things that are past their sell-by date, maybe even possessions, letting go of possessions, clothes that no longer fit you because you've grown. And so we give those things away to charities and people who have less than we have."

- Nikki Bush, human potential and parenting expert

"Autumn and winter can give us the whole cycle of everything is born, everything grows, everything ages, and everything eventually dies. Everything that is living eventually dies. This is the cycle of life or the circle of life." 

- Nikki Bush, human potential and parenting expert

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation